CLEVELAND — David Fizdale didn't know what to expect from the lanky 7-foot-1 center with the enormous wingspan and boundless athleticism. Mitchell Robinson hadn't played basketball for a year when the Knicks drafted him in the second round last June after he sat out the college season to prepare for the NBA.

Robinson was raw. Very raw. So much so that during training camp, the possibility of Robinson spending time in the G-League existed.

"We had no idea where he was at from an IQ standpoint, an understanding standpoint, maturity," Fizdale said after the Knicks' shootaround Monday at Quicken Loans Arena. "For him to do what he’s been doing, I think we’re all really excited about that."

It's been a process, one that's been interrupted by injury, but Robinson has begun turning that potential into tangible results.

Robinson finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the Knicks' 107-104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night at Quicken Loans Arena, which extended their losing streak to a franchise record 17 games.

For the Knicks, who have lost 25 of their last 26 games, Robinson's growth has been a bright spot in an otherwise lost season.

Mitchell Robinson has made steady progress in his rookie season with the New York Knicks. His shot-blocking is a signature part of his game.(Photo11: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports)

His shot-blocking ability, swatting away mid-range jumpers or flying out to the perimeter and knocking away attempted three-pointers, has been a signature part of his game. Robinson is blocking 2.03 shots per game. That's good for sixth in the NBA, ahead of JaVale McGee, Joel Embiid and Clint Capela.

And now the 20-year-old has been scoring at a more consistent clip, posting double-figure performances in four straight games. That included a career-high 15-point showing in a loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Robinson, who missed 13 games with ankle and groin injuries, has also fixed an issue that affected him the first half of the season: Fouling. He was routinely picking up cheap fouls that limited his minutes through the early part of the season.

In his previous nine games entering Monday, Robinson was averaging 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per contest.

Overall, Robinson has made improvements.

"I kind of am, kind of not," Robinson said when asked if he's surprised by his progress. "I worked hard for what I wanted to do. Just came in here every day with the coaches, and with my teammates, got better. Then I had to sit out another month because I got hurt. But after I got back, the game changed. I feel like I’m playing great now."

Robinson believes he's benefited from the addition of veteran center DeAndre Jordan, whom the Knicks acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. As soon as Jordan joined the Knicks, Fizdale told him he wanted Jordan to mentor Robinson. Fizdale believed Robinson could learn a lot from the former Clippers star, who's been known as an elite defensive center throughout his career.

Jordan is what the Knicks are trying to get Robinson to become.

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (26) dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)(Photo11: The Associated Press)

"He’s teaching me how to talk a little louder," Robinson said. "Just start screaming out screens, all the other stuff. He helps me out a lot during games. When he came, things started changing and I started scoring more. I started more. I started playing better, blocking shots, staying out of foul trouble."

Being more vocal is an adjustment for Robinson considering he hasn't been a loud player on or off the court.

"Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone," Robinson said. "Whatever feels comfortable, sometimes you’ve got to get out of it just to improve yourself, to be a better player and just work on your game."

Robinson has made progress. He still has to add strength to battle the more physical centers. And because he lacks a jump shot, almost all of Robinson's scoring comes at the rim. In today's NBA, where more and more centers are stretching the floor, that could become a disadvantage.

But Robinson has improved. There's a clear difference from where he was at the start of the season until now.

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